what is the "*" in the list of games?

It indicates that the game is considered a bundle game.

Yup. $30 max till you give non bundled games. Then an equation kicks in that I'm sure someone will post.

it's roughly 1$ worth for every 5$ spent on non-bundled games, so if you want a full value from a $10 bundled gift, you'll have to gift $50 of non-bundled stuff.

The * behind their names means these games have been in a bundle or were given away for free in large numbers and special rules apply to their contributor value.

The first $25 of bundle games are counted as non-bundle. Value above that is only added to a maximum of 20% of your non-bundle contribution.
That means you can only reach a contribution of $30 with bundle games alone ($25 + (20% * $25)).

Formula:

adjustedbundlevalue = bundlevalue - Min( bundlevalue , $25 )
adjustednonbundlevalue = nonbundlevalue + Min( bundlevalue , $25 )

contribution = adjustednonbundlevalue + Min( adjustedbundlevalue , adjustednonbundlevalue * 20% )

source

It's an asterisk, silly.

This really needs to be added to the FAQ (and don't tell me how to find it by following 3-4 links - it needs to be in the actual FAQ).

I just lost $75 in contributor credit because I gave away games from the Bundle Stars bundle. When I listed them they didn't have the . I received full credit for them the last 3 days. Today I am down $75 in contributor credit, because SteamGifts added the to them after the fact. Not happy about this.

The FAQ page needs a revamp. There is too much vital information squirrelled away in obscure forum threads. The whole point of the FAQ is to centralise the vital pieces of information, and provide answers to questions which are FREQUENTLY ASKED!

This question, and variations on it, are amongst the most frequently asked on the forum, but the answers remain mysteriously absent from the FAQ.

Perhaps someone with the power to change these things could do the honours when they have a spare 10 minutes?

All lies! It's a tiny star of happiness :3

so conclusion is: after i reach 30$ for giving away bundle games i will never ever get more, no matter what bundle?